Jonathan Poh at home in Dakota Crescent, Singapore

Please tell us something more about your job and what you love about it.
I design spaces and what I love about it is how clients appreciate the outcome of my designs.

How would you describe your signature design aesthetic?
I tend to not lock myself down to a specific aesthetic. I try to listen to the client’s needs and propose based on my inference of their idiosyncrasies and preferences from the dialogues with them. With discerning clients come great aesthetics.

Can you share your design process?
I start off with the plan, trying to figure out what could be demolished and what I could reconfigure. I love designing plans. I mull over a layout for a long time before I could convince myself that I am satisfied with it. It has very much to do with my training as an architect.

Describe your home in three words.
Light, open, masculine

What of your personalities can we see in it?The discipline in the layout reflects my preference for cleanliness and knowing where things are at an instant.

What are some of your favourite pieces in your home?
It has to be the paper cutout bullhead beside the entrance which my partner got from the States.

What’s the best thing about the area where you live?
The serenity of the suburban neighbourhood and the proximity to good food and friends.

What can small-space dwellers do to maximize space?
For small spaces, I would recommend an open plan with as much flexibility. Resale HDB like the one I had designed had maximum flexibility as most of the internal walls could be demolished. But it also depends on your lifestyle and how “bold” you are in living with open spaces. Some people prefer to have segmented spaces which give a cosier feel, which is fine too. Yes and keep clutter and unwanted items in storage to the minimum because they occupy unnecessary space which could otherwise be opened up. Get furniture that are not too bulky, settle for a straight sofa rather than an L shape sofa! Be generous with negative space rather than filling everything out but of course without compromising on comfort.

What are your thoughts on using colour in small spaces?
It’s great to use colours. But I tend to prefer to go with pastel or monotones for homes so that it feels cosier.

Famous last words?Be true to yourself, to everyone and to everything that you do.